Local one-man black-metal act Surachai has been on this wolf’s radar for a hot minute—since before he earned a spot in the Reader‘s 2013 Best of Chicago issue. Last year’s Embraced LP is a large-scale quasi-symphonic blowout with a full band and some out-prog arrangements, but Surachai is also a major synth nerd: this week he released Ritual, a 180-gram LP that features only one instrument, a semimodular Cwejman S1 MK2 analog synthesizer. Bleeps and bloops don’t usually sound this demonic! Next month he hits the road with electronic-music oddball Venetian Snares; they arrive at Smart Bar on Thu 7/10.
Ever wanted to know more about the staff at the Empty Bottle? You’re in luck—in February the club launched a monthly podcast called Everything’s Great?, hosted by talent buyer Christen Thomas, doorman Bob Johnson (the guy in the bunny suit in Bare Mutants’ “Crying With Bob” video), and Dumpster Babies guitarist Kevin Graves. The fifth episode comes out Wed 6/4 and includes guest appearances by Outer Minds members Zach Medearis and Aaron Orlowski, Bottle sound guys Matt Hannigan and Jason Balla, and five-year-old Ronnie Moon Roe, daughter of Bill and Lisa Roe from Trouble in Mind—she interviews King Khan! Listen on iTunes or through the Bottle’s blog, bit.ly/eb_blog.
Speaking of the Bottle, on Fri 6/6 the venue hosts a tribute to Beyonce to benefit Drummond Montessori‘s arts programs. The bill is packed with Chicago stars, and this wolf hears that Girl Group Chicago will perform Bey’s “Halo”! There’s more about the show on Soundboard.
Last week local rapper Frank Leone dropped a mournful track called “Child’s Play,” whose artwork straight-up calls Rahm a murderer. It won’t be on his forthcoming mixtape Enter Wild, which Leone says will include contributions from Monster Mike, Saba, and the University of Illinois drum line.
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